[simage=632,400,n,center]

A house panel has approved a bill which would allow anyone to make a complaint about a business employing an illegal immigrant. The bill also requires that the complaint would be investigated by the attorney general, county attorney, or local police. Washington County Attorney Larry Brock says these complaints would most likely be passed on to the county attorneys by the attorney general, and county attorneys are already overworked. He also notes that anonymous complaints can be made, which prevents an action that could be taken against a person who makes an unfounded complaint.

Currently, the federal government is in charge of enforcing immigration laws, which brings up constitution issues of the roles of state and federal governments. Under this bill, businesses would be penalized differently based on how many violations there have been at the business, and also separates violations into unknowing and intentional violations.

Brock says the wording of the bill makes it difficult to determine how it would be enforced. The Bill is expected to pass the House as its co-sponsored by 41 representatives. KCII will continue to follow this issue and bring you more information as it becomes official.